Another Great Find Today.

[Strix]

Went to the pet shop to get some crickets and rat food and I saw this little guy sitting in between the two buildings. For now it is on repti-sand and some bark chips and in a tank i borrowed til I get paid.

Not sure if he was an escapee from the store or from some poor customer but he "found" a home now ;P

​

 

[clam1991]

man
looks pretty beat up

take care of him

if not you can send him my way

 

[Strix]

I am going to. I'm not sure how long it has been outside there as well. It is a bit skittish when I approach it but I found if I move slow and gently touch it's back and then start petting it, it lets me pick it up with little to no problems.

Also got it to eat some lettuce

 

[Mushroom Spore]

For now it is on repti-sand and some bark chips and in a tank i borrowed til I get paid.

I would get rid of the repti-sand ASAP, that crap can cause impactions, especially in a lizard that may have a calcium deficiency and will thus be even more at risk for eating the sand.

Is that an iguana or some sort of water dragon? I can't tell.

 

[Strix]

That is an iguana. Would it be better on eco earth? I have an unopened brick here and can swap out if it is.



Edit: Doing a lot of reading tonight so I can get a 100% proper setup on payday.

 

[Mushroom Spore]

Yeah, the eco earth would probably be good. If that's an iguana, you'll need a huge setup, but they're awesome animals. I've always wanted one, I just don't have the room or money - so I live vicariously through other people on the internet.

 

[Strix]

I cleaned out the tank completly except for food and water. Used plastic place mats as bedding for now and currently reading reading reading.

http://www.anapsid.org/ Seems to have a ton of amazing information on husbandry for them.

Looks Like I'm going to be picking up a giant tank this weekend for it to grow out of and then see if dad can help me build a custom enclosure for when it matures.

Also ended up ordering Green Iguana : The Ultimate Owner's Manual by James W. Hatfield III

 

[jonnysebachi]

Nice save, good luck with getting it looking better. And good job on research. Looks like that iggy is getting a good home.

 

[clam1991]

yeah after it gets hydrated and healthy post some more pics
before and after you know

but great find non-the-less
mine is about that size
and shes cool as all get out!

 

[hardlucktattoo]

That is an iguana. Would it be better on eco earth? I have an unopened brick here and can swap out if it is.



Edit: Doing a lot of reading tonight so I can get a 100% proper setup on payday.

not saying you are wrong but it looks to be a water dragon to me too but like spore said i cant really tell

 

[GiantVinegaroon]

not saying you are wrong but it looks to be a water dragon to me too but like spore said i cant really tell

it's without a doubt a green iguana. i'll bet $1,000,000 that it is.

 

[Lucara]

Have you had iguanas before? If not, your in for a BIG expense!!

I would ditch the lettuce, its about as healthy as eating watermelon 100% of the time; its yummy but has no nutritional value whatsoever.

Instead, use a mixture of mustard greens, collard greens, dandelion greens, kale, watercress, greenbeans, and a random addition of fruits and other veggies. Dont forget the calcium powder!!!
Also make SURE you have a UVB lamp and heat lamp set up.
Iguanas are very brittle when it comes to their heat and UVB/UVA intake. MBD runs rampant in iggies if you dont watch it closely.

I'm sorry if this is all stuff that you know, I just thought I would throw in my 2cents. <3

 

[Strix]

Thanks for the reply Lucara. I have not owned an iguana before and I spent a fair amount of time since I got it reading about caring for one (roughly 10ish hours).

Right now i'm on a tight budget (ie: I get my paycheck this thursday) so I have been mixing fruits and veggies from the fridge for the little fellow.

Friday though I am going to spend probably a bit more then half my paycheck to get it the proper lighting, light timers, proper food, setup and whatever else it may need.

I figure a few days in makeshift conditions shouldn't be to harmful especially since a lot of iggies from what I have read live for years in neglectful situations.

Money isn't to much of a problem since I have very few bills (Car, Semi-Split house bills, and a medical bill) So like I said I can invest in what it will take to get this guy or gal a good setup and home.

 

[bigdog999]

God luck with it. I had one once before I knew how big they got. At 5 foot I ran out of room, and traded her back to the pet store. At that time we had a real pet store in the area. As a previous poster stated lettuce has no nutirent value. Go with spinach. You can try a few bugs, but at this age they are starting to be more vegetarians than insectivores.

 

[clam1991]

Have you had iguanas before? If not, your in for a BIG expense!!

I would ditch the lettuce, its about as healthy as eating watermelon 100% of the time; its yummy but has no nutritional value whatsoever.

Instead, use a mixture of mustard greens, collard greens, dandelion greens, kale, watercress, greenbeans, and a random addition of fruits and other veggies. Dont forget the calcium powder!!!
Also make SURE you have a UVB lamp and heat lamp set up.
Iguanas are very brittle when it comes to their heat and UVB/UVA intake. MBD runs rampant in iggies if you dont watch it closely.

I'm sorry if this is all stuff that you know, I just thought I would throw in my 2cents. <3

yes this is correct mine loves kale and mustard greens and at the grocery store you can get two armfulls for a couple bucks
i paid 2.50 myself
and i mist mine quite often and she loves it

 

[crpy]

Have you had iguanas before? If not, your in for a BIG expense!!

I would ditch the lettuce, its about as healthy as eating watermelon 100% of the time; its yummy but has no nutritional value whatsoever.

Instead, use a mixture of mustard greens, collard greens, dandelion greens, kale, watercress, greenbeans, and a random addition of fruits and other veggies. Dont forget the calcium powder!!!
Also make SURE you have a UVB lamp and heat lamp set up.
Iguanas are very brittle when it comes to their heat and UVB/UVA intake. MBD runs rampant in iggies if you dont watch it closely.

I'm sorry if this is all stuff that you know, I just thought I would throw in my 2cents. <3

way to go Luc, diet is absolutely crucial with iguanas, your right also about the lettuce, its good to see somebody mention it.

 

[Strix]

*Update*

Got paid and threw down about $380.00 into getting his whole setup, food, lights, etc.


Costly little guys but I think they are well worth it. Going to set it all up a little later, have to go out to dinner now

 

[Tim Benzedrine]

Can you afford dinner now?

Kudos for devoting your cash as well as your time to doing it right!:clap:

 

[Strix]

Yes I can still afford dinner.

It is really enjoying the new setup, much more active now, more space to roam around, stuff to climb on, a hide box and the correct food ;P

I also live in a two story house and it is by the back sliding glass doors (can see out of them from where he is) overlooking a pond, a jungle of a backyard (not cut) and from that vantage point it is pretty high up.

Here are a couple of new pics of it hanging out on his basking wood.

 

[Tim Benzedrine]

Looks like he got lucky when you found him. He looks pretty good, nice colour. Maybe a little thin, but what would you expect?

It's been mentioned before, but I'll reiterate and caution you to take particular care about diet, lighting and supplements. From my limited experience and from what I've read, the most difficult part of keeping them healthy is preventing MDB. But it's obvious that you intend to provide the best care you can.